Artists have always been pushed in many roles: from chroniclers of history, romantic geniuses, agents provocateurs, to increasingly individuals who are tasked to solve the ills of society. Have the progressive politics of artists become ensnared in a neo-liberal trap? If so, how and by what means? What kind of art does it produce, how is it valued and where do we find productive refusal? - Public Event 16 October 2014, at 20.00 in TENT Rotterdam, Witte de Withstraat 50.

As Turkey places its cities under curfew to disperse the protests against the advance of the IS into Kobanê, the organisation of the upcoming Mardin Biennial issues a statement, postponing the event until further notice. As artists invited to participate in this biennial, we respect this decision, and express our support for the team:

"We now hear a cry that is greater than our voices and it comes from Kobanê. Kobanê that stands ever so firmly against the barbarism of its attackers has become the bleeding wound in the hearts of all those who live in this region. We would have liked to carry out the 3rd International Mardin Biennial as originally planned, but we know that in order for the voice of Kobanê to be heard, we need to go quiet and make all necessary efforts for its voice to be heard more. We are not afraid. On the contrary, we are hopeful that Kobanê’s voice will indeed be heard. That is why we have decided to postpone until further notice the 3rd International Mardin Biennial, which was supposed to take place between October 17 and November 17. It will take place in near future for the sufferings which take place right in front us to be seen and heard."